SUNDAY SERMON: 10 things I learned at Vacation Bible School this week

By Rev. Stephen Baldwin

OT: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

NT: Matthew 14:22-33

“We make plans; God laughs.”

That old proverb still rings true after thousands of years. The disciples planned on getting a good night’s rest. They’d been busy in ministry, feeding the masses and doing as Jesus commanded. It had been working out pretty well for them, so when he tells them to get in the boat and head on to the other side without him…they listen. 

That was the plan. Get in the boat, go to the next town, and meet up on land. “We make plans; God laughs.” 

A huge storm rolls in, taking the boat out away from land while the disciples sleep. Jesus walks out to them in the dark just before dawn. As they awake, they see a shadow approaching and are overcome by fear. They think it’s a ghost. 

But Jesus says do not be afraid, ye of little faith. He reached out his hand and their fear was replaced with faith. 

That is the choice we face every single day–faith or fear. Faith in God or fear of evil? Faith that things will work out or fear that they will fall apart, soon. Faith or fear? 

We may have the best laid plans for living a life of faith, until a moment of fear creeps up like a shadow in the night…and those plans fall apart. 

I had plans for a productive week. Vacation Bible School in the mornings, church work in the afternoons, getting ahead since we will be gone next week to the beach. You know the drill, right? We plan; God laughs. 

I experienced several detours to those plans this week, principally Kerry and I having our identity stolen by some very persistent and sophisticated thieves, and before I knew it, it was Friday. With no sermon for this week or next week. Nothing packed for the trip. The grass in need of mowing. That’s always how it goes, isn’t it? 

But as I read through today’s passage from Matthew, none of that seemed to matter much. All I could think about were the faces of the children at Vacation Bible School this week. 

Because while some folks look forward to VBS all year long, I have a healthy dose of fear about it. Will we have enough help? Can we keep the kids safe? What if someone falls off the playground? Will the boys be too rough? Will the adults find their teaching experience meaningful? Will we have to do ice-breakers? These are worries I bring to VBS each and every year. 

And each and every year, I leave with a healthier dose of faith in the church. Because we find enough help. Things happen, but we handle them. This year, we had multiple PAs and nurses on site all week! The boys and girls learn more than you’d think. And the adults find faith in the next generation of the church. 

Here are a few of the lessons I learned this week. Number 1, kids like fruit rollups much more than they like actual fruit. Number 2, a plunger can be used as a weapon. Number 3, a pouch of goldfish can cure most heartaches and headaches. Number 4, little boys and little girls live in different worlds. To see their worlds collide, even if only for a few minutes each day now and then, is magical. Number 5, kids listen. Even when you think they don’t. Miss Suzy asked a question about the Bible story I was afraid no one could answer, and I was thrilled to see several hands go up to answer correctly. Number 6, it can be a cruel world; the church is the perfect place to give kids and adults the love and support they need. Number 7, there are four spiders that reside in the men’s bathroom at the park; I know because one particular young man checked up on them each day. Number 8, if something is hard, it’s probably worth doing. If it takes you out of your comfort zone and you enjoy it, then you should try it again. Number 9, a homemade slip & slide that costs $12 is worth its weight in gold. Number 10, Caroline Dotson is bound for greatness, because she made leading VBS look easy. 

Each day we face the same choice the disciples did–faith of fear. Fear is the easier option. There’s plenty to be afraid of. It’s kept me up this week. But faith kept me going. 

Doesn’t faith keep you going? Faith in God’s children at Vacation Bible School, who are a mirror into the faith we are capable of, if we take the risk. 

Take the risk. Choose faith over fear. Amen.